Indian Navy Rescues Injured Crew Members from Panama-Flagged Vessel off Goa Coast

In a critical early morning operation on Friday, the Indian Navy rescued three injured crew members from a Panama-flagged cargo vessel, MV Heilan Star, located approximately 230 nautical miles west of Goa. The rescued individuals include two Chinese nationals and one Indonesian citizen. A fourth crew member, also a Chinese national, was reported dead before the rescue could take place.

As per agency report, the Indian Navy launched the emergency medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) operation after receiving an alert from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai during the night of March 20–21. The alert informed that four crew members aboard MV Heilan Star had suffered severe burns and were in urgent need of advanced medical attention.

Responding swiftly, the Navy diverted two of its ships, INS Vikrant and INS Deepak, from their existing deployments to assist in the mission. The rescued individuals were airlifted to INS Hansa in Goa and subsequently transferred to a civilian hospital for further treatment.

The Indian Navy’s prompt and effective response highlights its operational readiness and commitment to humanitarian missions in the region. The rescue operation, conducted under challenging conditions far from the coast, underscores India’s growing maritime capabilities and its role as a reliable responder in regional maritime emergencies.